Sometimes...

photo from beginning of sept. 09

Sometimes I feel like I'm missing something...



Like when I hear about people running and I am just sitting and I have lots of weight to lose.

(I haven't moved my body in 2 weeks and I miss running everyday....but I am still a runner, always will be ...just in a different way.)



Like when I hear about people traveling all over to fun places and having a great time with friends and family.

(I used to travel and really want to take my children on a family vacation, but right now we are just trying to get healthy. And I haven't seen most of my extended family members in years.)



Like when I feel lonely and am stuck in a hospital with my baby for days and I don't get to see my kids much at all.

(I really miss my other kids, and this has been really hard on them and us.)



Like when I wish just one of my many family members or friends would pick up the phone and call us to see how we are doing.
(And then a thoughtful aunt and sister-in-law send a card in the mail just because they are doing just that.)



And then sometimes I get in my car and it is quiet. And I cry.

I cry because I want that picture perfect life- the family vacation, the clean house, the perfect health and happiness...

The ones I read about everyone else having.

And then I read about others, and see others, who have lives full of sorrow and heartache, full of things I never ever want to see in my life.

And they are strong.

And they rise above the sorrow and the hardship and the pain.

And they LIVE. And they LOVE.



And then I cry because I am blessed. I have a pretty good life, not sometimes, but all the time.

EVEN if I spend a few weeks in the hospital with my sick child.

EVEN if I have a very messy house.

EVEN if I don't eat right and I have a ton of weight to lose.

EVEN if sometimes, I really want to go running, go to Disneyland with my children, and hug and kiss my husband....but I can't right now.



Sometimes, I remember, that God loves me and knows me. And He ALWAYS, knows what is best for us.

And when I remember that I CAN LIVE. I CAN LOVE.

All will be well soon.

And I have a pretty blessed life.

Baby's Hospital Quilt

I {♥} volunteers who make quilts for babies in the hospital! Someday I'll pay it forward and do that too . ☻

Baby loves looking at this quilt (babies love red, black, and white together and this has some of that:) We really love it and wish we knew who we could thank for this). I. really.need. some.sleep. right.now....but while sitting here, I have thought up some fun little crafts I can't wait to make with the kids....very soon. Only a few more days of hospitals...:)

What to do when you are stuck in a small hospital room for weeks

*Watch every talk show under the sun and decide which talk shows are now your favorites
*Catch up on your reading- I am finishing my Twilight Series finally!
*Read your 25 magazine subscriptions that you never read (ok I don't have 25 but close)
*Change poopy diapers and nurse baby back to health
*Sleep in a recliner, sit in a recliner, ....who are we kidding, it isn't a real recliner
*PRAY,PRAY, PRAY
*Get your Fall T.V. show line up memorized (I have a show every night of the week...sad but true)
*DO SQUATS and squeeze your buttocks back in shape :)
*Do arm circles- if you do enough of them with tight arms...they really do work. :)
*Become BFF's with your favorite nurses
*Watch all the shows you are missing on HULU
*Order every different item of hospital food and have a taste test to see which is the best (or if any of it is decent at all)
*Make sure that there is free internet and use it a lot!
*Enter every blog contest you can find since you usually don't have time for that - do it now;)
*Play Subway Scrabble and hope to win a prize (we eat at Subway a lot)
*Use up all your cell phone minutes by calling everyone in your address book
*Ponder the meaning of life and your life ;)
*Dream about going home to your messy house with your cute kids and never complain about being stuck in the house again! :)
*Enjoy the quiet moments with baby and be thankful for modern medicine and miracles, my wonderful private health care, and the fact that someday this will just be a memory.
Everything is going to be O.K.

On the Mend...

Here he is...getting better....only a week longer in the hospital...we hope ☻

Dear readers,

Please excuse my wife from her blogging absence. She is staying in the hospital with our 3 month old who is sick. Please excuse her for possibly the next 10 days.
Thank you.

Sincerely,

Mr. Husband

Quilting with Paper

I saw this idea on Joy's Hope. I loved it so much, I couldn't wait to try it as I love using canvas and pretty paper to decorate. ☻ It was much easier and quicker to do than it looked. She shares a tutorial on how do to this at the link above. Here is a little bit about how I did mine. ☻

First pick some coordinating papers. I used DCWV papers, since they had the color combinations I was looking for. You need a paper cutter to cut the paper, and some modge podge to attach the paper to the canvas. I also painted my canvas first, to get the sides/edges, and I also did a light coat of paint over the entire thing (in case any canvas showed through in places) before applying the paper with modge podge.

Since my canvas was 16 inches by 20 inches, I cut my paper in 4 inch lengths, but all different widths-from one inch to 3 inches- I didn't really measure exactly, just cut. It really doesn't take that much paper, so it goes quickly. Then I place my paper around the edge -no paticular order or pattern- but I wanted it to sort of look like a frame-so I went around the edge and then filled in the middle. I laid it all out first, and then applied the modge podge and attached it after.

I added a few vinyl letters...not sure how I like it, but it comes off easily if I change my mind.

The great thing about modge podge, is that if I get sick of this design, I can just modge podge something else over the top. ☻I also hot glued some white wooden clothespins to hold the photo in place...but I may change that later too. (see top photo)

I used this black and white paper to make one for my room too. I may put a photo on it, and I may not...we'll see.

It just adds something to an otherwise very plain wall. I'm thinking I need to make a few more like this and hang them all together to really make a statement on a wall. Quilting with paper is really fun- and anyone can do it. And since I love stuff like this but hate a whole wall of the same thing (sorry, I know wall paper is coming back but I still don't like it), this is perfect for me. Let me know if you try this! ☻ I'd love to see your version of this easy craft!

Sewing Tutorials for National Sewing Month

September is National Sewing Month...and I would love to be home sewing...and being with my family, but I am stuck in the hospital with baby for another 2 weeks, and that feels like forever. So I will miss sewing for the rest of the month. BUT...here are a few fun tutorials for you- so you can sew up a storm for me :)

* Stack and Nest Quilted Blocks by Elizabeth Hartman

* Map of the States Quilting Blocks at Oh Fransson (also by Elizabeth Hartman)

* Patchwork Camera Strap by Melanie from Fabric, Family, and Fun

*Changing Pad and Wipes Holder Tutorial from Cluck Cluck Sew

*Nine Patch Birthday Quilt from Chickpea Studio

*Car Cozie Toy Holder Tutorial from My Little Gems

* Square Deal Pin Cushion from Heather Bailey

* Messenger Bag Tutorial from Diary of a Quilter

This Made Me Cry Because I Really Love My Family.

Easy Baby Bibs

You have probably seen some baby bibs like these out there, they seem to be everywhere these days. These are super easy to make. I make mine a little different, by adding an extra layer. (the ones pictured above I used an old vintage sheet to for the fabric one and made matching burp cloths)

First you need a template. You can use an old bib you have, or find one online, or use a cereal box and a cup to make your own. For this particular bib, I used the one here, with Homemade by Jill. You can find a full tutorial there too. (Next time I am going to make my own template. I wanted the strap a bit longer for my kids- so it fit better around their necks when they were older-so I extended the strap.) The tutorial listed, is perfect for about a 6 month old baby, I think. Also- pre-wash all the fabric before hand!

I also added an extra layer between the terry cloth and the top layer. I added warm and natural batting (pictured above) but then found that flannel worked better. I added the extra layer to make it more absorbent for spills, etc. My kids are messy eaters. ☻Basically you just cut your pieces all the same and then sew around the edges at 1/4 inch. If you don't want the frayed look, use pinking sheers, although it may still fray some. Terry cloth can really fray, but using pinking sheers, cuts down on the fraying a bit. I like the terry cloth idea, because you can use the back to clean up the child after eating. :)

I think for older kids I will make it longer next time, and maybe add a pocket on the bottom to catch the food they drop. (?) I'll try anything to make cleaning up after meals easier. ;) This is just one of the bib styles I am really liking these days. There are more out there- I'll show you soon. ☻

Paper + Vase= New Decor Idea

I love pretty paper...so I don't know why I did not think of this before. There is so much you could do with this idea. I just used this for our bedroom dresser...but

I can see this with black branches for Halloween, and maybe some evergreen branches for Christmas, add some yummy fabrics or something and there you go-a really cool centerpiece.

All you need are some plain glass vases, and some pretty paper. I did not tape the paper or anything, just cut it to fit the vase. You could change the paper and what is inside the vase for each holiday, etc. I ran out of money for this month, so my variations on this will have to wait. :) I just used what I already had at home. Still I think it is pretty idea and super thrifty!

Zucchini Candy a.k.a. Make your Own Fruit Snacks

Here is a great thing you can do with Zucchini. (I am going to try it with pears and apples too and I will let you know how it turns out.:)) My mother-in-law shared this recipe with us last Christmas and it was really cool! We bought some zucchini, and had to try it. I only made one batch, but with the recipe above,you can try several batches. It really looks and tastes like fruit snacks when you do lots of flavors/colors- only a bit more on the healthy side than the store bought ones. Here is the "how-to":

Cut up your zucchini into 1/2 to one inch chunks. Make sure you get all the green off. We used about 2 zucchini, and got about 3 cups of it when it was cubed up.

Next choose your flavor of Kool-Aid. If you are doing one batch, as I did, you only need one flavor.

In a heavy saucepan, combine 1 cup water, about 1 cup sugar (a little less works too), and your package of Kool-Aid. Bring to a boil.Then add the zucchini chunks and bring to a full boil.

Simmer for about 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Do not let it overcook. Drain well. If you are making lots, you can save the juice to make more.

Put the pieces on a dehydrator for 14-18 hours. We just did it overnight. Don't let the pieces touch while drying. When they are almost dry, roll in sugar. Store in baggies or an airtight container. It should keep for quite sometime. We had ours for about 2 weeks, and it was just fine.

If you save the juice for the next batch, you can get really vibrant colors. You can use lots of flavors of Kool-aid, one of each batch, and you will have your homemade fruit snacks. This was really fun for the kids to help with and eat! ☻

Crafting with Kids: Monster Mania with Make and Takes

Marie, from Make and Takes, has a new book- Monster Mania, crafts for little monsters. When it comes to crafts for children and blogging, Marie leads the way. She has always been someone I really admired in this department, so when she asked me to take a look at her new book, I was happy to do so. This is a darling book full of fun things to do with kids and perfect for this time of year too. My son, who is four, wants to do everything in it. ☻ (He can't read yet, but loves the fun photos in the book.) This book is very user-friendly, that even children (or your husband:)) could follow the step-by-step photos and instructions. It also uses regular craft materials, and doesn't call for anything that is hard to find or out of the ordinary.
We have already enjoyed crafting some "Monster Feet" for monster stomping, and can't wait to make a "Spooky Monster House". Being that I just had a new baby, I haven't had the time to come up with fun kid's crafts lately. This book solved that problem! If you are going to be spending some time indoors, with the cold weather coming on, this is a perfect little book to have on hand. You can download it from here, and have a great time crafting with your little monsters this season. Happy Crafting!

Car Cozie WINNERS!

Here are all the names and entries
AND THE WINNERS ARE:

VALERIE

AND

THE HARRIS FAMILY

PLEASE leave a comment w/ your email (won't be published) and I will email you for your information.

Thanks to everyone for entering. I wish I could give everyone one that wants one. Please use the tutorial for your personal use to make yourself one ;)

Congrats!

5K and some Quilt Tops

I have a really really wonderful husband-unselfish, kind, hard-working, -well you get the picture. He is so good, that when he has 2 days off in a row, on a weekend, he takes care of things around here as much as he can so I can have some time to do what I want to do. Yes, I am a lucky girl, and I married a good one. ☻
Since the sewing machine has been living on the kitchen table, I got to work.

I only have the tops pieced together, but still quite an accomplishment! Here is a peek:

CAR QUILT TOP:

ROBOT QUILT TOP:

IKEA ANIMALS QUILT TOP:
Since I have 3 boys, I can't have 3 different quilts, because that equals FIGHTING. So I do have some leftover fabric to make 2 different but similar quilts of the top two.
And I used to hate quilting. But that was before I discovered super cute designer fabrics and machine quilting. Now I love it. Can't wait to finish these babies.


AND because what I REALLY SHOULD BE FOCUSING ON is losing the baby flab- (30 lbs down and about 40 more to go...) I ran/walked a 5K on Saturday. I was very disappointed in the lack of sponsors and participants, etc. but that is another story.
But I finished it. And don't judge my outfit. ☻ I don't have much to choose from these days. ☻I will be wearing XL t-shirts and sweats for a while and that is O.K....because baby needs me....and so do the cookies I just made. oops.


The best part was my cute cheerleaders. My husband and my 3 boys- 2 of them saying, "GO MOMMY GO!!" and you can't beat a moment like that, no matter how slow you run or how much weight you have to lose from having these little ones! They are worth every ounce. They are why I do what I do. ☻

Pledge of Allegiance Stitching and 9/11

Since it is 9/11 today, and this is suppose to be a "craft" blog, I thought I would post one I did forever ago, in the spirit of 9/11.

This stitching of the Pledge of Allegiance is on a flag bandana. My cousin, Amber taught me to do this- and even gave me the bandana, about 10 years ago, to help get me started. ☻ She helped me with lots of crafts, when I was teaching school full-time. Well, it took me about 7 years to finally finish this. (When I taught at a school called Freedom Elementary, I had plans to finally finish this and display it in my classroom....but I never got it finished.) ☻

We have this up most of the year. It is simple to do, I just wrote the words on with a water-erasable pen, and stitched. Some of my friends that have made one of these, pieced the flag together with different fabrics-which was really cute!

I remember where I was on 9/11, getting ready to go teach my 2nd graders, and what a terrible day it was. I remember the flags hanging everywhere for months. I remember the feelings, the patriotism, the unity we had.

Then things got forgotten, and we all went back to our normal lives.

I hope that today, we can all take time to reflect on this great country and remember all those who have given their lives for our freedom. God Bless America!

How to Make Baby Leggings-Tutorial

What can I say-- I'm on a tutorial kick lately....well... actually I could not find a tutorial on this that I loved and thought was really clear...so I made my own. And I've been making lots of baby stuff. And I love these leggings. And my husband HATES them. And they are really cheap to make with a pair of socks that costs one or two dollars. And I love me some chubby baby leg cleavage. ☻ (It really is the only time in one's life when chubby legs are super cute.)

So hear ya go. Reasons you need to make baby leggys for your little one: keep them warm, protect them when crawling, and they are the fashion...caute!! This is a tutorial in pictures:

THE ABOVE PHOTO is a photo of 2 pairs of socks both lined up. I'll show you the rest w/ the stripes pair.

Throw the heal part away- you won't be using it.

Throw the toe part away too.

Heal and toe parts- discard.

SEW the raw edges together, and zig-zag or serge so that is does not fray later.

TRY a PAIR on a REALLY CUTE BABY!!
Sorry ladies, this one is taken...he is mine...☻

They stretch and can be worn for a really long time- but I don't know how long I can let my boys where them - at least until they learn to crawl- so their little legs are protected.

BUT....
If I had a little girl- I would dress her like this - with a little frilly skirt or ruffle....

maybe some really cute shoes.......if we were going out but around the house she could hang out just like this:

Since I don't have a girl, I'm not really "skilled" in that department... I would just consult my sister, who runs this adorable etsy shop, called Little Pretties. She makes the cutest stuff for girls, and some boy stuff too. I'll show you the bibs she sent me-love them ♥ I do love making these leggings. Too bad they can't cover up my "baby chub".....

O.K. that would just look silly :)

Car Cozie Tutorial (a.k.a. Car Cozy)

It's the post many of you have been waiting for :) I had to work out lots of things w/ this and so thanks for your patience. AS ALWAYS- this is for personal use only☻ which means no selling/redistribution, entering contests, etc. (In case you are wondering- I spelled it cozie instead of cozy...just trying to be original-since I have not seen this anywhere-and I have looked ☻) I am selling some in my etsy shop, if you would rather buy one. (more items coming soon) AND...I will sell you a kit too-with everything cut and ready to go. With this post, I am also doing a little give-a-way! Details at the end of post ☻

Let's Get Started:

Here is what you need :
ALL SEAM ALLOWANCES ARE 1/4 inch.

Step one: prepare the road piece

1. Iron the interfacing onto the back (wrong side) of the black fabric. I used flannel or just cotton quilting fabric for my road. You could also use felt, but I really liked the flannel and cotton look and feel.

2. Next cut your 10 inch strip of yellow felt into 4 equal pieces. Cut your Wonder Under to match these pieces. Space evenly on the black fabric- the right side-(not the interfacing side) down the middle of the fabric. TIP: To get your pieces on evenly and easily, iron your road piece in 1/2 lengthwise to make a crease. Place the road lines right on the crease and they will be in the middle of the road now. ☻

With Wonder Under you don't have to sew. You can iron it in between the road and the yellow fabric, and it will fuse the two fabrics together. You can sew around the yellow lines too, if you want to reinforce them. Either way- your choice- but the Wonder Under really does keep it on.

Once your road is finished, set it aside for now.



Step Two: Prepare the pocket piece

(sorry different fabric here:))

1. The car piece that is 18 1/2 inches by 9 inches will be your pocket. Fold it in 1/2 and iron. Your pocket front will now be double thickness with the fold at the top of the pocket.

2. Place this piece with your contrasting fabric, lining up the raw edges. (The road will be sewn on the opposite edge of this contrasting fabric piece. )

3. Mark and pin the pocket piece every 3 inches, leaving an extra 1/4 inch on both ends of the pocket piece for seam allowances. So you will have 3 and 1/4 inches on the two ends, and all the pins in between will be every 3 inches. If it isn't exact, don't worry about it. It will still work and still fit cars- even if one pocket is a little too small or too big.

4. Once you have that all pinned, you are ready to sew the pocket on. This is important: When sewing the pockets, make sure to over stitch onto the backing piece, and to double stitch. So stitch the lines, making sure to back stitch on both ends, and then go back over and stitch the lines again. This reinforces the pockets since little cars and hands will be going in and out of the pockets often...☻

Put your pocket piece aside. Pick up your road piece.

NEXT- Attach ribbon closure.

The ribbon attaches right where the lines in the road are at. So fold your ribbon in 1/2 and sew it and back stitch it right on the edge of the road so that it is even with the yellow road lines.

NOW we are going to attach our road to our pocket piece.
With right sides together, sew the long side of the pocket piece to the long edge of the road piece.

You are almost finished!

Now let's attach the backing:

1. Placing right sides together, place the large car piece (18 1/2 inches by 12) on top of the pocket and road piece you just sewed. Pin all edges together. Sew 1/4 inch all the way around, leaving 3-4 inches open along the long edge of the road side. Make sure to catch all layers, but make sure you don't catch the end of the ribbon in your seams. Make sure you catch the end of the ribbon you already sewed on inside of your seam.

Trim your seams. Turn right side out. Press. Now you are ready to top stitch. When top stitching, sew opening closed. Top stitch all the way around the edge of the road, close to the edge, and outside edge of the pocket. I top stitched along the top edge of the pocket backing too, so that on the backing, there are two lines down the center, and stitching all the way around the edge.

AND now you are done!

Please let me know if this makes sense or if you have any questions. I had my husband help me with this, and he really wanted me to be specific, so I hope I was. ☻

Fill it up with cars, and enjoy your new toy!!

If you make one of these, will you please leave me a comment and link it to this post? thanks! I may also do a FLICKR group for this-if anyone is interested, I'll set one up.

Leave a comment if you have any questions and I'll comment back to you with the answer.

AND NOW FOR A LITTLE GIVE-A -WAY!!

In my etsy shop, I am selling already made ones, and kits. With this post, I am giving away a kit that includes all the pieces you need to make your own. I am also giving one away made.

♥ ☻♥ ☻ ♥ ☻ ♥

Leave me a comment if you want to enter! And we'll have the give-a-way end Thursday of this week.

***THIS GIVE-A-WAY is now CLOSED***

Here is what you can do if you would like some EXTRA ENTRIES:

(make sure to tell me in your comment what you did for extra entries)

*Followers- 5 extra

*Add Little Gems Button to your blog-5 extra... on the left-I'm still working on the code but there is a button you can add for now (it may need some fixin' up --later ;))

*visit my etsy shop and add me to your favorites-5 extra

*Purchase from my etsy shop-10 extra- (more items coming to shop soon)